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<i>Lucifer</i> Series Premiere – “Pilot” Review. Being Bad Can Be So Good.

Season 1, Episode 1

Air Date: Monday, January 25, 2016 at 9/8c on Fox

Rating ★★★★★

 

Having a sexy bad boy as the star of a new series can either be a success or complete disaster if he can’t carry off the role convincingly. Thankfully, Fox doesn’t have that problem with Lucifer’s lead Tom Ellis who plays the deliciously devious Lucifer Morningstar. Lucifer is a naughty, entertaining series you will want to tune in to each week. Ellis balances playing Lucifer as the fiendishly handsome master of Hell with just a hint of morality. My only concern is Lucifer’s humanity. The only way this show can succeed is if Lucifer continues to remain unscrupulous in his endeavors. He can still be a duplicitous manipulator who helps humans as long as he punishes the guilty as only the Devil can.

In “Pilot,” Lucifer’s brother Amenadiel (D.B. Woodside) goes to Earth to tell him God, their father, isn’t happy with Lucifer shirking his responsibilities in Hell while on vacation. Woodside, equally as sexy as Ellis, does an excellent job of portraying the so-called good angel as a jealous sibling who has to keep his brother in check because his daddy makes him. The dichotomy of good and evil becomes blurred as Woodside plays Amenadiel with a bit of an edge. I’m anxious to see how the history of these two siblings unravels if Lucifer is able to survive its freshman season.

Lauren German plays the tough female LAPD Detective Chloe Dancer who crosses paths with Lucifer when a young singer is gunned downed in front of Lucifer’s nightclub Lux. The cliché story arc of the tough female trying not to fall for the handsome bad guy rears its ugly head, but fortunately, the script provides a twist in Lucifer and Chloe’s relationship in the way “Pilot” is written. I am also concerned about is Lucifer and Chloe becoming too close, i.e., romantically speaking that is. The writers would be wise to keep Chloe as the abrasive female cop trying to prove she’s got what it takes to be a detective while utilizing Lucifer’s counsel sparingly. Although, Lucifer’s infatuation with Chloe’s unnerving ability to resist his powers of persuasion intrigues the immortal being to no end.

Lucifer’s fascination with humans will undoubtedly present problems. His sworn protector, who just happens to be the head bartender at Lux, Mazikeen “Mazi” (Lesliey-Ann Brandt), cannot fathom why her master insists on staying on Earth to mingle with common humans. Brandt’s performance hits the nail on the head. She does a great job of portraying Mazi as sassy and unapologetic about her loathing of humans. But can she persuade Lucifer to return to Hell before he becomes too attached?

The writing is sharp but it is Ellis’ delivery of the dialogue that truly solidifies my adoration for this new series. I am in complete lust with Lucifer. I relish Lucifer’s blatant disregard for wanting to punish those who deserve it. His blunt honesty is refreshing—he doesn’t hide the fact that he is the Prince of Darkness, the Devil himself, but no one in La-La Land (Los Angeles) believes him. Can you blame them? In a city full of pretenders, does anyone tell the truth anymore? And, while many viewers may not appreciate his slight disgust with children, it’s what makes Lucifer so bad, and that makes the show so good.

There have been heavy comparisons to Ellis’ short lived Fox series Rush, but I don’t see it. Watching Lucifer without any bias, I believe the premise will work because of people’s fascination for the paranormal and supernatural. What more supernatural being is there than the Devil himself? I’m not religious but you don’t have to be to enjoy the time old cat and mouse game of good versus evil. Lucifer, however, is much more than that. The lines of what is good are extremely blurred. Amenadiel is supposedly the good angel, but is he? And as Lucifer points out, which I’ll paraphrase, it’s not about some mythical being making a person do something bad — as in the old saying, “the Devil made me do it.” Ultimately, we as humans have the choice whether or not to do something. Humans are capable of doing bad things but what is bad to one person may be good to another. Let’s remember, though, Lucifer is a television program; it’s not meant to do anything except entertain and it does its job extremely well. Writers should stop trying to give the Devil morals and humanity; there’s enough of that crap on other shows…as Lucifer says, “…boring…”

Of notable mention is Racheal Harris as Dr. Linda Martin. Harris is fantastic and quite convincing as a psychiatrist who has an obvious attraction to Lucifer. She does yoga, too. (Not sure why the writers had to stress that point, but the whole Basic Instincts leg move by Harris is quite funny). Her burgeoning doctor/patient relationship with Lucifer in future episodes will surely be revealing as she digs deep to find out what makes him tick.

If you are looking for a reprieve from all the PG, warm and fuzzy television shows and movies out there, sit back, relax, and watch Lucifer. I’m sure your deepest desires will emerge by the end of “Pilot.” I know mine did (wicked grin).

What did you think of Lucifer? What do you want more than anything? I’d love to discuss so leave a comment below or Tweet me at @judybopp.

 

Tune in to Lucifer Mondays at 9/8c, only on Fox.

For more on the show, go to http://www.fox.com/lucifer

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Photos: ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.